Photograph: Sally HaydenThe Defence Forces took the “correct decision” not to shoot down unidentified drones that appeared off the Irish coast during an official visit to Ireland by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. Mr Martin said he had a “very detailed briefing” with Tánaiste Simon Harris and other Ministers last week on the drone incident. “I think, on the operation response, the correct decision was taken and the correct approach. Photograph: Sally HaydenSpeaking to reporters in Lebanon, Mr Martin was also asked about the capacity of the health service to deal with the current flu outbreak. “It’s a very serious flu and all the advice is that it will peak in and around Christmas Day and Christmas week,” Mr Martin said.

Source: The Irish Times December 20, 2025 18:18 UTC